Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/bitcoin-drops-to-76k-judge-blocks-voter-proof-of-citizenship-us-quietly-keeps-funding-who/
Economy
Bitcoin fell to $74,000, its lowest since November 2024 and below April 2025 levels, amid $1.5 billion in leveraged liquidations over four hours, primarily longs. The selloff erased over $110 billion from crypto market value in 24 hours, decoupling from global liquidity injections and other assets like gold following Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair. MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor stated the firm faces no liquidation risk.
US Politics
A federal judge denied Minnesota’s bid to block a 4,000-agent ICE deployment to Twin Cities, rejecting claims of 10th Amendment violations despite concerns over Attorney General Pam Bondi’s letter urging policy changes.
Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly blocked provisions of Executive Order 14248 requiring documentary proof of citizenship on the national mail voter registration form and assessments for public assistance enrollees. The ruling cites separation of powers, stating presidents cannot unilaterally alter federal election procedures assigned to states and Congress.
In Washington state, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson issued an executive order directing police to track ICE activities with body cameras, barring agents from city properties, and allocating $4 million for immigrant legal defense. The measures respond to anticipated federal enforcement surges. The police guild criticized them for pitting agencies against each other, with Guild President Mike Solan calling it “ludicrous” and refusing to use members as political pawns.
Health
Despite announcements of severed ties, U.S. agencies reportedly continue to collaborate with the WHO on flu vaccines and pandemic coordination. The HHS is engaged in talks for bird flu vaccine programs, with $500 million in taxpayer funding allocated. Gain-of-function research on influenza reportedly continues in U.S. labs amid conflicting claims on social media regarding the extent of the WHO withdrawal.
The U.S. Education Department notified California of FERPA violations for concealing students’ gender support plans from parents under state law AB 1955. The department demands notices to administrators affirming parental inspection rights, public clarification that state policies cannot override federal law, written assurances of compliance, and updated training for educators. The finding was welcomed by parental rights advocates but criticized by others as risking outing transgender students.
In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott declared a statewide disaster to address the potential spread of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly advancing toward the U.S.-Mexico border. The declaration activates a response team from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Animal Health Commission, partnering with the USDA to prevent infestation in livestock and wildlife. The insect, eradicated from the U.S. in 1966, infests open wounds and has not been detected domestically up until January 22.
Energy
European Union officials are considering scrapping the Russian oil price cap, set to drop to $44.10 per barrel on February 1, in favor of a full ban on European insurance, shipping, and transport services for Russian cargoes. Officials said the shift would address enforcement challenges and shadow fleet evasion amid declining Russian oil revenues, though some member states have voiced concerns over potential energy market disruptions.
Geopolitics
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Russia has suspended long-range strikes on Ukraine until February 1 at President Trump’s request, citing cold weather pressures on energy infrastructure and aims to aid negotiations. The pause follows initial trilateral Russia-Ukraine-U.S. talks in Abu Dhabi, with a second round set for February 1. Reported discussions cover territorial issues in Donbass as a key remaining point, potential post-conflict NATO deployments with U.S. backing, security guarantees tied to Ukrainian withdrawals, and neutral peacekeeper options.
Technology
Pentagon officials and Anthropic reportedly disagreed over ethical limits on AI for lethal operations and surveillance, stalling a contract worth up to $200 million. Anthropic cited concerns about insufficient human oversight and domestic use, and an Anthropic spokesperson described ongoing discussions with the DoD as productive. Military leaders stated that commercial AI must serve defense needs compliant with U.S. law, aligning with a strategy for an AI-first force.
Butler Shooting
Pennsylvania state police charged David James Stewart, a 36-year-old homeless man, with felony terroristic threats for social media posts from January 10 to 23 targeting President Trump, the White House, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, and law enforcement agencies including Troop D. The posts included a bomb threat against the Butler Township barracks and references to alleged mistreatment by police at the July 13, 2024, rally near the assassination attempt site, where police encountered Stewart as a witness. Stewart admitted to the posts in an interview, citing anger over perceived threats, and is held in Butler County Prison on $500,000 bail pending a preliminary hearing.
Sources
Homeless Man Charged with Threatening Trump, Police After Claimed Rally Abuse
Man accused of threatening Trump, police following interaction at July 2024 rally
Source (Paywalled) | Submitted by Dan M.
Texas Gov. Abbott Declares Disaster to Halt Screwworm’s March to the Border
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday said he imposed a statewide disaster declaration to prevent the spread of a type of parasitic fly in his state.
Pentagon Demands ‘Killer AI’ Without Safeguards, Stalls Anthropic Deal
Pentagon wants killer AI without safeguards
Source | Submitted by Rodster
EU Considers Dropping Russia Oil Price Cap for Blanket Services Ban
The EU is reportedly weighing whether to scrap its Russian oil price cap altogether and replace it with a blanket ban on maritime services
Source | Submitted by jhughes1973
U.S. Never Cut WHO Ties: Secret Flu Vaccine Collab and PCR Test Scandal Exposed
The U.S. Never Actually Cut Ties With the WHO
U.S. Education Dept Warns California: Stop Hiding Kids’ Gender Transitions from Parents
The U.S. Education Department (ED) is warning California to stop hiding gender transitions of students from parents in public schools or face federal consequences.
Five Insights from the Russia-Ukraine-US Trilateral Talks
Five Insights Into The Trilateral Russian-Ukrainian-US Talks
Seattle Mayor Orders Police to Track and Document ICE Operations
Seattle Mayor Directs Police To Track And Document ICE Enforcement Activities
Bitcoin Crashes to November 2024 Lows in $1.5 Billion Liquidation Avalanche
Bitcoin Crashes To Nov 2024 Lows Amid $1.5 Billion In Levered Liquidations
Activist Judge Blocks Trump’s Voter Citizenship Verification EO
A federal judge on Friday blocked key provisions of President Trump’s executive order that requires proof of US citizenship for voter registration.
Kremlin Confirms Russia Paused Ukraine Strikes at Trump’s Request
Russia has agreed to partially suspend long-range strikes on Ukrainian targets at the request of US President Donald Trump, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has confirmed.
Federal Judge Denies Minnesota’s Bid to Block Trump’s 4,000-Agent ICE Surge
A federal judge on Jan. 31 denied Minnesota’s emergency request to block the Trump administration’s deployment of thousands of federal agents to the Twin Cities in a large-scale immigration enforcement operation.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Butler Eagle, @BloodHorse, Vigilant Fox Substack / @JonMFleetwood, U.S. Department of Education / Liberty Justice Center / LGBTQ Nation, Reuters, Oilprice.com, Kyiv Independent, @SPOG1952 / The Burner Seattle, @GovTimWalz / Fox News, Politico, and ZeroHedge.